The construction industry will need 348,000 more employees by 2010 to meet expected demand, an average of 87,000 new recruits per year, according to The Construction Skills Network Report 2006. The ConstructionSkills report predicts the UK construction industry will continue to experience strong growth, with construction output expected to rise by 12.7% by 2010.

The highest annual skills requirement UK-wide is for workers with wood trade skills, but there is expected to be a high demand for managers, clerical staff, architects and engineers. The east of England is set to experience the highest rate of employment growth with an increase of 18.6% by 2010, with London at 11% and the south east at 14%.